The Financial Realities of a Criminal Barrister
In an exclusive interview with the Money blog, barrister Benjamin Knight from Central Chambers in Manchester and Libertas Chambers in London provides a candid look into the often misunderstood world of criminal law. He reveals that take-home pay can be painfully low for junior barristers, with gross fees ranging from £10,000 to £50,000 early in their careers. However, this figure is misleading as it does not account for chambers contributions, travel, insurance, practising costs, and tax. Once these expenses and the long hours are factored in, the actual income can be minimal.
Unpredictable Income and Long Hours
Knight explains that criminal barristers face unpredictable income year to year, making ordinary life planning difficult. While headlines occasionally highlight top earners making millions, these are typically very senior King's Counsels (KCs) who may gross seven figures from years of work on a single large case. A normal week involves 50 to 60 hours, but during trials, this can double. Late nights are common due to court duties and preparation, with barristers often starting their second day of work at night to keep multiple cases moving.
Retirement and Career Progression
The barrister jokes that criminal barristers do not retire; they just drop dead in their wigs. More realistically, many continue working while they are sharp and passionate, with some transitioning to become judges. Knight, part of Generation X, notes that retirement feels like a fictional concept without a decent pension, which is a key attraction of judicial roles for many in the profession.
Professional Relationships and Social Dynamics
Knight emphasises that professionalism is paramount in the bar. While barristers can be friends with opponents, the default is cordiality, with hostility indicating poor performance. The social scene is not the boozy fantasy portrayed in dramas; it is more practical, with busy professionals relying on events and WhatsApp groups. Competition exists at the junior level, but most are too focused on surviving their workload to engage in status games.
Loneliness and Support Networks
The job can be lonely, especially during long cases away from home. However, the bar community rallies to support those in need, provided individuals ask for help. Knight highlights the importance of maintaining a flicker of adrenaline before addressing a judge or jury, as its absence suggests inattention or numbness. Good advocacy involves listening and adapting, particularly in cross-examination.
Challenges in the Justice System
Knight argues that the criminal justice system is fairer than people think, with juries taking their oaths seriously and delivering verdicts based on careful thinking. However, bias exists, often unconsciously, affecting patterns and outcomes. He rejects the idea that removing juries would solve backlogs, advocating instead for early disclosure, proper case management, and better resources for institutions like the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Access and Diversity Issues
Historically dominated by affluent, cisgendered, heterosexual, white men, the bar has made progress in diversity, but access has become harder due to deteriorating legal aid and working conditions. The huge debt and financial brutality of early years deter many from entering the profession, shrinking the pool of future advocates and judges. Knight stresses that visibility matters, as people from diverse backgrounds need to see themselves represented to feel they belong.
Personal Experiences and Ethical Duties
Knight shares poignant stories from his career, such as helping an illiterate, exploited prisoner rebuild his life, which reminded him that the job is not just about winning arguments. He also participated in the longest jury trial in English history, proving that juries can handle complex cases with proper presentation. Additionally, he has faced assaults and online hostility, noting that attacking lawyers for doing their job is unjustified.
Ethical Responsibilities and Public Perception
Under the cab rank rule, barristers must not pick clients based on popularity, ensuring representation is not a luxury. If a client confesses, barristers cannot mislead the court but can test prosecution evidence or advise on guilty pleas. Knight calls for more honesty in the justice system, criticising sensationalist media reporting that distorts public understanding. He urges a grown-up debate on outcomes like punishment, rehabilitation, and diversion, and what society is willing to pay for them.
Advice for Aspiring Barristers
Knight advises aspiring barristers to guard their reputation early, as social media has a long memory. He emphasises that the real goal is not titles but being suited to good-quality work and overcoming imposter syndrome, which is common in the profession. Ultimately, he believes the justice system should focus on reality, not simplistic narratives of monsters and victims, to ensure fairness and integrity.
